It was. It was the best of times... I need to wash my hair

Tag Archives: cheese

This weekend I’m in another Food: Fact or Fiction on Cooking Channel. Here is a clip where I tackle the issue of why we love cheese. ( why would we not?) In this clip host Michael Mckean actually says my name! Been a fan for years.. if only we had been in the same room..and got to be funny together. That would be an 11.

This is a romantic story. A human one, but because of the romance I found my new love.

It’s baked fresh every morning around the corner from my sister in laws house in Amsterdam. They don’t make cheesy, grainy, flaky yumminess like that in the States. Viv and I were equally in love with it and we would get our own almost every morning we were there. Ok, to the main story.

Once a upon a time there was a bright little girl. She had a keen mind and big heart. She enjoyed her hippie youth yet, was a hard worker. As she became a lady she met some men, married a couple, but they were not prince charmings. In fact they cost the lady more treasure than gave. Although she did get a wonderful son and step children who she thinks of as her own. Younger than she should, she also got devoted stepchildren to expand her large heart.

She was scrappy and worked to pay her bills, but still loved to travel when she could. On one such trip in Italy she bumped into a man. It was a few years of long distance courtship, but last week she married him and finally, got a man who treats her like a princess. A princess with an MBA.

This is the thumbnail story of my sister in law Leslie. She has moved to Amsterdam to be with my new brother in law and we are so thrilled. Vivien was the flower girl. It is so like Leslie that as she was planning this special day for herself, she was thinking of how to take care of her large extended family. Things we would all do together in Amsterdam, paying for travel for those who needed it, a play room for kids at the wedding, chocolates on our arrival.

The night before the wedding ( we would call it a rehearsal dinner, but the Dutch don’t rehearse, those tall people just do) the happy couple had an open house. We got to meet “Dutch’s”( my nick name for my new brother in law) large blue eyed, blond haired family and were served traditional Dutch food.

it was lovely, but I was about to pass out

The staff were dressed in their kitschy Dutch best. Dutch food? Lots of little fried things. It was a sweet affair, but sadly our jet lag was hitting me hard as I struggled to speak and eat. Viv was laid out watching cartoons.

The next day we were recovered, thankfully! Viv got into her flower girl outfit and she looked like an angel. Her hair was curled and she wore a garland of white roses. She loved that I let her wore “heels”.Leslie had suggested ivory. Viv saw this dress and said “mommy, I don’t want to see one more dress that’s it. ( my blow up bed in the background). The weather was perfect. Leslie had thought of everything even having sandwiches as we got ready. So smart or we would have keeled over by the first toast.

She had asked me to keep a secret from Vivien HOW we were getting to the ceremony. So Viv had no idea what was coming as we stood and waited.

I was so happy for Leslie, and felt so lucky to be part of such a happy day. Loved Vivien’s excitement which was over the top when she saw what she would be riding in.

Mark and I rode in the larger carriage behind with other VIP’s. It was like a dream clopping through the tiny streets of Amsterdam, along the canals. Tourist were snapping pictures. A soundtrack in my head of “enjoy this moment, this is special”. The carriages were pristine. I knew Vivien must have been beside herself riding with the bride and groom over cobblestone streets. A little girls dream come true. Pretty rad for her mom as well.

I loved my dress. It was a mini with room to eat and soft trumpet sleeves.

My attempt at self portrait

We arrived at the place for the ceremony and reception. Glad they were in the same building as I would hate to have bike in these heels!

The Dutch sit for their weddings. Sure, they walk in like we do, but then they plunk themselves down. They had a great officiant who read things the couple had written. Most moving was what Leslie had written about her children and bonus children. I got a bit weepy, which I always like in a wedding ceremony. Also, since this was not a wedding of youths I didn’t have that cynicism I can have at weddings. Where I’m inwardly rolling my eyes at the pledges for love greatness. “Yeah, right”. But, since they had been around the block it felt more meaningful. They also had a great wedding singer ( I know seems like an oxymoron). When she sang an acappella version of Van Morrison’s “Someone like you” I sobbed anew. I was getting my moneys worth out of this show.

Vivien took her job very seriously to attend to her aunt.

We went to the bathroom and Leslie had gone downstairs to the reception Vivien was outraged. She turned on me, “I told you I needed to go down with Leslie!”

“We will find her now.” But, when she saw Leslie happily chatting with guests and drinking she became more distraught.

“Mommy, there is nothing for me to do.” I told her about the kid room where there were games, videos, art, young gals in tight shirts with enthusiam, but she wanted none of it. She had been to the mountain top, she had been somebody, she did not want to go back to being an ordinary kid, to being a pumpkin.

“She wants people to sign the guest book, you could help with that?” I suggested. She just glared at me. She knew that was a crap job.

Nothing was pleasing her and I was worried, because I could see the antique bar in the other room and was imaging a nice bourbon on the rocks just out of reach… Fortunately, my mother had also come to the wedding and was staying across the street. She wisely surmized that Vivien was exhausted.

“Would you like to come to my hotel and rest for a while?” Yes, she did. I love multi generational travel. I hunkered down eating and drinking with some lovely Dutch people and she napped for an hour. Later she returned and had a great time in the kid room with her second cousins.

I got one humorous toast out. My first stand up gig in a while. From start to finish it was a HAPPY DAY.

The next day Leslie had arranged a boat tour through the canals for all of the out of town guests.

me and my Mom

Viv and I had gone shopping earlier in the day. Since the exchange rate does NOT favor the Yanks, I took to browsing in the many second hand shops. I picked up this pink blouse and another flower one which was French ,looked very ’60’s. I felt so clever and chi until I got back stateside and saw that the label said in French “pre natel”. No wonder if fit over my belly which had grown larger with Kass vlinders. Well, that is what love will do!

self portrait number 2

I love this picture of Vivien and her buddy, and second cousin JJ trying to touch the tunnel on our cruise. JJ’s two younger brothers were also on the trip and I when I would see their cute round faces having fun I missed Rex and wished I brought them. Then I would see their parents dealing with a meltdown or a tantrum and I would think, phew, dodged a bullet. However, on this cruise I got to talk to Rex after not being able to for a couple of days. It was starting to get to me. I didn’t have an international phone, and then a friend of Leslie’s helped me make a call. When Rex got on the phone he said, “Momma, it’s me.”

This broke my heart and I started crying. Could he really think I wouldn’t know my own baby? He was having a good time. He was fine. I cried with relief after we hung up.

Next time we come, I’ll bring him. Fortunately, there is no rush. We now have a dear and deep family presence in Holland.